Electric Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate

The CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program is offering a $1,000 rebate for upgrading your current water heater to a qualified electric heat pump water heater. An ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater is the most efficient way to heat hot water with electricity and is the most climate-friendly form of water heating available in BC.

Overview

Rebate amount

$1,000

Who can apply

B.C. citizens who live in an eligible home and have residential utility accounts with BC Hydro, FortisBC, or municipal utility

Deadline

Application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date

Qualifying products

Must be on the qualified product list. Only models listed in Tier 2 or higher are eligible for the rebate

Funding provided by

The Province of British Columbia, BC Hydro, FortisBC

If you are new to CleanBC Better Homes rebates, learn how the rebate process works.

Rebate amount

Heat pump water heater requirements

Your heat pump water heater must be found on the qualified product list. Only models listed in Tier 2 or higher are eligible for the rebate.

Primary fuel before upgrade

Rebate

Electricity (supplied by FortisBC, BC Hydro, or a municipal utility)

$1,000

Fossil Fuel (natural gas, oil, or propane)

$1,000

Related rebates

If you apply for this rebate you should also consider the following:

Homes switching from a fossil fuel (oil, propane, or natural gas) space or water heating system to a heat pump may be eligible for:
- $500 for an Electric Service Upgrade to 100, 200, or 400 amp service.
- Up to $6,000 from select municipalities with Municipal Top-up Rebates.
- Up to $500 with the heat pump Group Purchase Rebate (GPR) when you switch to a heat pump and refer your friends.
A heat pump upgrade counts toward the Two Upgrade Bonus or the Home Energy Improvement Bonus.

Eligibility requirements

In order to qualify for this rebate, all of the following requirements must be met. Please read them carefully. Contact an Energy Coach if you have questions.

Requirements for the home

You must live in an eligible home:

The home must be a year-round primary residence that is at least 12 months old.
You must have a residential utility account with FortisBC, BC Hydro, or a municipal utility.
- The home must be one of the following types:
- Single family home (detached dwelling)
- Secondary suite in a single-family home (detached dwelling), with its own separate utility meter
- Mobile home that is permanently fixed, sits on a foundation and is structurally complete with installed and connected plumbing, heating, electrical, water and sewer services; towing apparatus and axle must be removed
- Duplex, triplex, row home or townhome, where each unit has its own natural gas and/or electricity meter; utility accounts must be in the name of the resident and/or homeowner. Utility accounts in the name of a strata corporation are not eligible.
Your home must be primarily heated with:
- Natural Gas or piped-propane supplied by FortisBC
- Natural Gas supplied by Pacific Northern Gas
- Electricity supplied by FortisBC, BC Hydro, or a municipal utility
- Oil or propane not supplied by FortisBC
- Wood or other solid fuels

Requirements for your contractor

All new equipment must be installed:

By a licensed contractor with a GST number and a valid B.C. business license for the trade applicable to the upgrade being installed (e.g. Heat pumps must be installed by a licensed residential heating and cooling contractor).
Self-installations are not eligible.

Requirements for the upgrade

The new heat pump water heater must:

Be found on the qualified product list. Only models listed in Tier 2 or higher are eligible for the rebate.
Be new and not part of a previous installation.

Requirements for the equipment being replaced

The old heating system must also meet requirements in order to be eligible for this rebate. Select your existing system type to learn more.

Replacing an electric heating system

Replacement of an existing heat pump water heater is not eligible for a rebate.
Emergency replacement of broken electric system is not eligible for a rebate.

Replacing a fossil fuel (oil, propane, or natural gas) water heating

The fossil fuel water heating system and all such fossil fuel water heating equipment (piping, appliances, fuel containers, vents and associated infrastructure) must be removed accordance with all applicable laws.
Emergency replacement of broken fossil fuel water heating systems are eligible for a rebate.

Deadlines

The application must be submitted within 6 months of the invoice date of the upgrade.

How to apply

Before you begin

Carefully read the Program Requirements and Additional Terms and Conditions to confirm your eligibility.
Purchase a qualifying tier 2 or higher heat pump water heater from the qualified product list and have it installed by a licensed contractor.
If you are switching from oil, propane, or natural gas to a heat pump water heater, include proof of your fossil fuel system removal, decommissioning or modification.
Once your upgrades are installed, complete the online application and upload all supporting documentation including copies of all receipts and invoices. See sample invoices.

I am...

Apply here

A BC Hydro Electric customer that is completing an electric system upgrade to a heat pump water heater.BC Hydro online application

A BC Hydro Electric customer that is converting to a heat pump water heater from natural gas, propane, oil or wood.BC Hydro online application

A FortisBC Electric customer that is completing an electric system upgrade to a heat pump water heater.FortisBC online application

Please Note: If you are submitting an application that includes both a heat pump and a natural gas fireplace or natural gas hot water heater, use the BC Hydro online application.